Giants Are Still Alive After Thriller Vs. Dallas

GIANTS 31
COWBOYS 24

So much for being dead on Thanksgiving.

The Giants are alive and well after beating the Dallas Cowboys 31-24 at Giants Stadium on Sunday, a win that puts the Giants just a game out of first place behind Dallas and Philadelphia. The Giants will gear up for a huge game next Sunday night against the Eagles, that could go a long way in determining who is in first place in the NFC East.

The Giants didn't play great in this game. They were down 10-0, and by night's end yielded 392 yards through the air to Tony Romo, and watched Jason Witten roll up 154 yards and Mile Austion 104 yards receiving.

Sure there were problems, but the Giants had more big plays than Dallas.

First it was Eli Manning's desperate flip to Kevin Boss in the backfield. Manning was about to be sacked on the play, and just dumped the ball off to Boss. Boss streaked down the field for 16 yards and a first down. Three plays later, Manning hit Hakeem Nicks from 21 yards out to cut the Cowboys lead to 10-7.

Then Marion Barber fumbled the ball into the hands of Giants defensive end Osi Umenyoira setting up the Giants nicely inside Dallas territory. Manning hit Steve Smith twice, one for 15 and another for 12 yards to put Big Blue near the goal line. Brandon Jacobs took it in for the one yard touchdown to give the Giants a stunning 14-10 lead.

In the third quarter the Cowboys struck back.

Romo hit Witten for 17 yards to start the drive to move the ball to the Giants 39 yard line. Five plays later, Romo had Witten open again for 15 more to spot the ball at the Giants nine. Two plays later, Romo lobbed the pass to an open Roy William to give Dallas a 17-14 lead.

But, the Giants would answer fast.

Manning hit Brandon Jacobs on a bubble screen. Jacobs avoided a tackler and started to sprint down the sideline. Jacobs avoided two more tacklers near mid field and later at the Cowboys 22. Jacobs was able to keep himself in bounds, as he tip toed down the sideline for a 74 yard touchdown, the longest TD of the year for Big Blue. Box score.

Finally, in the fourth quarter, Domenick Hixon's 79 yard punt return put the game away. 31-17 Giants, as a frenzied 80,000 Giant fans cheered louder then they have cheered all season long.

The Giants (7-5) are right in the middle of the divisional championship chase. Add to the fact that Big Blue is really the only challenger for the last wild card slot behind Green Bay (7-4) and Philadelphia (8-4), if the Giants win their games, they could easily make the playoffs.